Novak Djokovic hasn’t had the best of times ever since the news about his Covid-19 vaccination status came out. The Serb was embroiled in a controversy at the Australian Open last year and got deported from the country just before the start of the tournament for failing to provide enough evidence of his COVID-19 vaccine exemption. Further, he also missed the US Open last year due to the same reason of not being vaccinated. Recently, American tennis legend, Billie Jean King, dropped a piece of advice about the vaccine to which Djokovic’s fans reacted angrily.
While Djokovic has faced external pressure, his fans have sided with him throughout his Covid-19 vaccine controversy. Here’s what happened when King talked about the vaccine.
Billie Jean King slammed by Novak Djokovic fans
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Hours ago, the 79-year-old took to Twitter to offer some advice to her fans on the Covid-19 vaccine. She said, “Getting your #COVID19 and flu shots are an important part of living a healthy lifestyle. Updated COVID vaccines are now available, so make sure you protect yourself and those around you by making an appointment: https://vaccines.gov.”
Getting your #COVID19 and flu shots are an important part of living a healthy lifestyle.
Updated COVID vaccines are now available, so make sure you protect yourself and those around you by making an appointment: https://t.co/r8thZf7wOR. pic.twitter.com/7CeqL0vvNs
— Billie Jean King (@BillieJeanKing) September 26, 2023
However, she faced massive backlash from Djokovic’s fans as they didn’t like her suggesting to the masses to take the vaccine shot. One of the fans reacted by saying, “Absolute. Despise this c**t like you wouldn’t believe.”
Absolute 🦎
Despise this cxxt like you wouldn't believe. https://t.co/dABNkA08Nq— Niki Lauda MMA (@Nikilauda5r8) September 27, 2023
Further, another fan said, “Indeed, this can be partialy true for very old people. For the kids and young adults, its closer to “druging”. Very, very sad and dangerous.”
Indeed, this can be partialy true for very old people.
For the kids and young adults, its closer to "druging".
Very, very sad and dangerous. https://t.co/Fy1q0MOJRU
— Mira🦋 (@DinGodeFe) September 27, 2023
Meanwhile, one of the Twitter users completely disapproved of her statement, dismissing it by saying, “Just no.”
Just no https://t.co/ibYNhdhqMR
— Sannie 🦋🌕🐊🐌🐺 (@DjokerSA) September 27, 2023
Another fan was disappointed to see King promoting the vaccine, saying, ” Remember when athletes used to promote a healthy lifestyle by eating healthy and exercising etc? Now they are promoting a “healthy” lifestyle by putting drugs into your body. BJK fought the establishment to get equal pay, now she’s with them to supplement their profits. So sad.”
Remember when athletes used to promote a healthy lifestyle by eating healthy and exercising etc? Now they are promoting a "healthy" lifestyle by putting drugs into your body.
BJK fought the establishment to get equal pay, now she's with them to supplement their profits. So sad. https://t.co/dbdYsTL5Tj
— Pavvy G (@pavyg) September 27, 2023
Another Djokovic fan made a crude remark on her advice, commenting, “Her time is almost up so she wants everyone to join her.”
Her time is almost up so she wants everyone to join her. https://t.co/3gm18vSLEO
— Bilal (@Belalzfr) September 27, 2023
After facing massive disappointment last year, Djokovic has received strong backing and support in the recent past from across the globe.
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When Elon Musk took the Djoker as an example to give his thoughts on the Covid-19 vaccine
Even the world’s richest man, Elon Musk, remembered him while explaining the sensitive topic about Covid-19 vaccine. Musk gave an example of the Serbian tennis legend to highlight the achievements of people who haven’t taken the vaccine shot. Djokovic, who was infamously deported from Australia and later banned from the American hard court season in 2022, has won all but on Grand Slam title this year.
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Nonetheless, it was shrewd behavior from Djokovic fans, mocking legend like King. What do you think about this banter on social media? Let us know your views in the comments below.
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